New hunting and trapping rules in effect for 2010 seasons

MADISON – Hunters and trappers looking forward to the 2010-2011 seasons will have some new rules to follow as they pursue their fall pastimes. Several of the new rules were requested and supported by hunters and trappers at the annual Spring Rule Hearings. Others have come to life in response to changing wildlife management needs and new technologies.
Most of the newer rules are found in the “What’s New” section of the fall seasons regulations pamphlets and are also listed in a new fact sheet available online on the Hunting and Trapping Regulations page of the Department of Natural Resources website. A few of the newer rules were not finalized until after the paper copies of the regulations went to press but are updated on the DNR website. Hunters and trappers are encouraged to study the regulations pamphlets and check the DNR website under the type of game they intend to pursue to be sure they are aware of any new rules.
Hunters and trappers can also call the DNR Information (1-888-WDNR INFo) line 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. 7 days a week with questions.
A sample of new rules of interest to deer hunters includes:
•The free archery antlerless deer carcass tags that come with a regular archery deer license and patron’s license is NOT VALID in 19 deer management units designated as “Regular Units – Buck Only.

•Archery deer hunters no longer must wait three days from the date of license purchase to go hunting – the license is good immediately when purchased during the open season.

•Scopes or telescopic sights with magnification are now legal on muzzleloaders during the 10-day Nov. 29 – Dec.8 muzzleloader season.

•Whole deer carcasses can now be transported out of the CWD Management Zone or into Wisconsin from CWD areas of other states where CWD has been detected under certain restrictions.

•Deer and bear may now be quartered for easier removal from the field, also subject to certain restrictions.

•Whitefish Dunes and Potawatomi state parks are now open for deer hunting during the nine-day firearm deer season.

•Fall turkey hunters may now use dogs anywhere in the state.

•The bobcat season has been extended through January and split into two separate time periods. Trappers will be able to also use cable restraints for bobcat in the January portion of the season if they have a permit for the second bobcat time period.

•Several changes to the waterfowl season structure include eliminating the Burnett Subzone closed area making it now huntable as part of the exterior zone and implementing new property rules at the Mead and Zeloski Marsh properties.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Loomans – (608) 267-2452

Source: Wisconsin DNR
Site: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/weekly.asp#art5

Register now for fall hunter education course

MADISON – Wisconsin hunters planning for the late-year seasons should register now for required hunter education certificate courses to avoid being sidelined this fall.
“Nearly all of the volunteer hunter education instructors are hunters themselves and enjoy hunting in the fall,” says Conservation Warden Tim Lawhern, who also serves as the state’s hunting education administrator. “The hunter education program offers about 1,200 courses every year, but very few of them are offered from October through December.
Every year Lawhern fields calls two weeks before the gun-deer season with hunter-hopefuls looking to fulfill the mandatory hunter education course. “More than 99 percent of our courses have already been offered by that time,” he says.
Anyone born on or after Jan.1, 1973, must have completed a hunter education course and show the certificate to purchase any hunting license in Wisconsin. Also, recreational safety students are required to obtain a Wisconsin DNR Customer ID Number before the completion of any recreational safety class and must provide that Customer ID Number to the instructor.
To find a course, visit the Department of Natural Resources Web site. Look under the heading of Recreational Safety Course – Upcoming Classes. If unsuccessful, check back as courses are added to the listing as instructors alert the DNR.
“In Wisconsin, we’ve reduced hunting accidents by 90 percent since the hunter education program began,” Lawhern says. “Hunting is safe -- and getting safer -- because of the volunteer instructors who teach hunter education and the number of our hunters who have now graduated from our courses. Sign up now while courses are being offered in your area.
“Remember, safe hunting is no accident,” he says.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Lawhern (608) 266-1317
Source: Wisconsin DNR
Site: http://dnr.wi.gov/news/weekly.asp#art3

Make your voice heard - Request Veto of Assembly Bill 371

From the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

Dear Conservationist:
 
In this session of the legislature there have been a flurry of bills where legislators have tried to set hunting regulations for turkey hunting, archery deer hunting and bear hunting. This was done intentionally to bypass the input of the thousands of sportsmen and women who normally would have a chance to vote on hunting regulations at the Conservation Congress Spring hearings.

Due to the effort of sportsmen and women several of these bills were stopped before they reached the Governor's desk for signature. However one of them, AB 371, is now before the Governor for his decision to either sign it or veto it.

AB 371 makes several changes to the fall bear hunting season which will be disruptive to archery deer hunters, small game hunters and the majority  of bear hunters. The proposed changes to bear hunting in AB 371 were on the Conservation Congress Spring hearings on April 12, 2010 and were voted down by as much as an 82% to 18% ratio, with 71 out of 72 counties voting against and one county tied.

As a sportsman or woman, it is important for you to take action and contact the Governor and ask for him to veto AB 371. This time the changes affect bear hunting, next time it may be your favorite form of hunting, fishing or trapping. Don't let the regulations affecting your sport be changed without having the opportunity to vote on them at the Conservation Congress hearings.

The Governor can be contacted by calling 608-266-1212 or writing him at:
Governor James Doyle
115 East, State Capitol
Madison WI 53702

He can also be contacted through the email contact form on the  Governor's Office Website: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/
It is important to make this contact in the next week! If you have any questions, please contact me by email: georgemeyer@tds.net or phone--608-516-5545.

George Meyer
Executive Director
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
NOTE: Do not use your email program to forward this message to others as it has been personalized with your account information.